Probate is the court process of settling a person’s estate after death, but it can be slow, costly, and public. To avoid it, consider a revocable living trust, name beneficiaries on accounts, hold property jointly, or use New York’s small estate option for assets under $50,000.

A joint account can be a simple and efficient way to transfer funds without the delays of probate! When one account holder passes, ownership often transfers automatically to the surviving co-owner(s), ensuring immediate access to funds.